Tag Archives: kitchen floor

Details below of a restorative clean and seal we completed of an Edwardian Quarry Tiled Floor and Edwardian Geometric Floor at a house in the town of Market Harborough, Leicestershire. Market Harborough is a very old town that dates back to Saxon times, as a result it has some very old buildings including the church that was built in the 1300’s.

Both floors had been hidden underneath carpets for many Years. They were exposed by our customer thirteen years ago, who had painstakingly removed the cement-based levelling screed from the Quarry Tiled Kitchen Floor.

The floors were moisture damaged from years of inherent damp build-up and didn’t look their best with ingrained historic soiling and damage to the hall tiles.

We were asked to quote for a restorative cleaning, sealing and repairs by our customer. After inspecting the floor, we quoted for the work and advised how long it would take to complete. We also guided our customer where to purchase period reproduction tile replacements from. In this instance our customer purchased made to order tiles from world renowned tile manufacturer Craven Dunnill in Bridnorth, Shropshire.

Cleaning Edwardian Quarry Tiles

We carried out repairs first carefully removing the damaged tiles and fixing in place the replacements purchased by the customer. Some of the original tiles were also loose but in good physical condition so these were re-fixed in place and grouted in.

Once the grout had set we started the cleaning process with the application of Tile Doctor Remove & Go ready to use heavy duty cleaning solution and coatings remover to the tiles. Working in small sections we allowed the product to soak into the tile for thirty minutes and then agitated the solution, with both an abrasive brush and a coarse 200 grit pad. This process quickly broke down the years of soiling and surface contamination. We extracted the resulting slurry and followed up with the application of Tile Doctor Acid Gel to treat inherent cement contamination and historic efflorescence salt staining. This was again worked into the tiles and the floor rinsed using low moisture methods.

We had arranged to seal the floor the next day, so air movers and a fan heater were left in place to help dry the floor overnight.

Sealing Edwardian Quarry Tiles

On the second day after confirming the tiles were dry we sealed the tiles with four coats of Tile Doctor Colour Grow which is a colour enhancing sealer that soaks into the pores of the tile protecting it from within. The floor was then buffed by hand to remove excess sealer and was ready for use within the hour. We advised the customer that whilst the floor could be walked on quite quickly, that the sealer would take up to 48 hours to fully cure.

Before leaving we advised the customer that the sealer can be prematurely worn down by the use of strong cleaning products and so recommended the they use Tile Doctors pH Neutral Floor Cleaning concentrate. This should always be diluted correctly, and the water changed frequently, to avoid suspended soils from being deposited back onto the surface of the floor. If properly maintained, then the sealer should last a minimum of 5 years.

Reviews

Testimonials

Great job, the tiles had been hidden under a carpet for years and we're in a poor state. The work carried out brought life back into the titles leaving a fantastic entrance way again great job. Rob Young , Leicester 21 July 2016

Steve came to see us a few hours after our insurance company had placed the enquiry. From the initial meeting we felt confident that we had the right person to restore our soot contaminated travertine floor, following a fire. Steve explained the process, so there were no surprises. The process was a little bit wetter than we had imagined although the thorough preparation allowed for this. Job was completed when he said it would be and the floor looks fantastic never expected it to be back to where it was let alone better. Steve has given me instructions on how to maintain the floor and I have promised not to use Flash anymore. Deb Cornes, Loughborough 15 June 2016

Mr Steve Carpenter was excellent. He already had a very tight programme of work but re-arranged his work to fit in my schedule. With Christmas looming he kept his promise, turned up when arranged, gave us advice and produced a superb job of work. I would willingly recommend him to anyone.John Mcgahan, Loughborough 21 May 2016

Very professional clean and tidy and would use again. Mrs Ellwood, Shangton 02 February 2016

I decided I wanted my bathroom walls and floor tiled with travertine tiles. The store I brought the tiles from gave me the wrong sealant and the tiler made a pigs ear of applying it. For 2 years I had to look at tiles that looked awful. Steve removed the old sealant (which was a very hard job) cleaned and honed the tiles and re-sealed them. My bathroom now looks lovely. I cannot thank him enough I now love my bathroom and have brought all new accessories to go with my new bathroom. Thank you Steve.:) Beverley, Leicester 29 January 2016

steve was very good and informative and did a great job. I do think that for the work carried out the price was very high for the hours worked and skill of the job. £300 plus materials for say 8 hours work across two days is steep for someone cleaning a floor and then painting grout sealer on with a paint brush hence i would not recommend to freinds but say they can do it them selves.Ian Hallam, Leicester 26 January 2016

Steve is very professional and has the personality and gravitas to ensure confidence in the Customer of what he does and can achieve. He managed our expectations well including a photograph of what he believed the finish would be. We were delighted with the service and would recommend him to anyone.Susan Kelsey, Melton Mowbray 16 December 2015

We are very pleased with results. Great,professional and speedy work carried out with absolutely no problems.Maeve Wynn-williams, Syston 06 December 2015

It was Steve Carpenter, not Kay, who undertook the work.Eleanor Ridge, Leicester 30 November 2015

Mr Sylvester was really helpful in how he explained the way in which the floor had been previously treated which had resulted in it looking very stained and quite dirty. We had only just moved in to the bungalow, and that was one of things to be rectified. We were fortunate in selecting the Tile. Doctor, having seen the advert on the web. Mr Sylvester did an absolutely marvellous job and the floor looks just as we hoped. His advice in the future treatment of the ceramic tiles will be followed to the letter. All in all an excellent job Mrs Kite, Leicester 21 November 2015